Student Profile
- Sam Alderton-Johnson
- 3rd year
undergraduate
1. What attracted you most to the program?
I had always been interested in crime and criminal justice. I studied law for a year though found the coursework did not match my expectations for how I wanted to work in the community. When I learnt about criminology, I found a way of thinking about and understanding criminality. I learnt that with the knowledge and skills I would develop I could use these to put in to practice programs and services that would further support the community and reduce crime.
2. What were the key skills and knowledge you gained by studying the program?
I learnt how to write a variety of different types of documents, from preparing major research projects to research proposals and policy briefs. Learning all these different styles of writing have prepared me to effectively work in the policy sector and even the community sector.
I found extremely valuable learning about criminalisation from a variety of perspectives, looking at the inequalities within the justice system and how we can work towards reducing these inequalities. I have developed a strong passion and commitment to reducing the over representation of Aboriginal young people in the juvenile justice system.
3. Are you currently employed and does your program relate to this employment?
I am the manager of Glebe PCYC. This is a community not for profit that works in partnership with the police to provide youth at risk and young offenders with programs to move them away from the criminal justice system and anti social behaviour.
I also work with the department of juvenile justice as a youth officer that provides supervision for female young offenders in detention.
My degree program directly prepared me for the positions of employment. In PCYC it has given me an understanding of the importance of crime prevention through social intervention as well as the importance of early intervention when working with disadvantaged youth. Understanding this has shaped many of the programs I have implemented in the organisation. In my position within juvenile justice it has helped me understand how the organisation operates, coming with a criminology degree it also helps me understand more clearer what is working and what is not.
5. What inspires you most about your area of interest/career?
I am inspired by the achievement of positive social change in the lives of those most disadvantaged.
